The first picture is actually taken in a Wildlife preserve and the bear was behind a wire fence. 2, 3, and 4 are wild bears in Katmai. I think the difference between what occurred in Denali and my experience in Katmai was that I was in a group led by a trained guide and the bears in Katmai are habituated around humans. I think the photographer was alone in Denali and extremely close to bears that aren't as used to humans.

The closest bear shot I got in Katmai was this one. Oh and it was the bear that got curious and casually got closer to us. We formed a tight group to appear as a larger entity and she stayed at around 30 feet.

Steve Bingham
wrote:

Last week I read about a lone photographer being attacked and eaten by a grizzly in Denali, Alaska. He had gotten too close and the bear simply charged him. The images, still in the camera, were retrieved by Park Rangers later. Amazing.